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Behavioral disturbances among medically hospitalized school-age children
Summary
Medically hospitalized children often exhibit behavioral disturbances, with over half showing clinical symptoms. Internalizing problems were more common than externalizing ones, highlighting a need for mental health support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
- Behavioral Pediatrics
Background:
- Medically hospitalized children face significant stressors.
- Behavioral disturbances are common in this population but often under-recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and types of behavioral disturbances in school-age children during medical hospitalization.
- To identify potential correlations between behavioral issues and factors like socioeconomic status and prior hospitalizations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) completed by mothers to assess prehospital behavior in 76 school-age children (8-12 years).
- Compared hospitalized children's scores to standardized nonclinical norms on the CBCL.
- Analyzed associations between behavioral problems and socioeconomic status or previous hospitalizations.
Main Results:
- 51% of hospitalized children scored in the clinical range for behavioral disturbances.
- Internalizing symptoms (47%) were more prevalent than externalizing symptoms (21%).
- Externalizing behaviors showed a slight association with lower socioeconomic status, but not with prior hospitalizations.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of medically hospitalized school-age children experience behavioral disturbances, particularly internalizing symptoms.
- Findings underscore the necessity for integrated mental health services for hospitalized children.
- Further research is needed to explore the specific needs of this vulnerable pediatric population.